Burley Confirms Application

By TownFans.co.uk
October 25 2012

Former Town boss George Burley has confirmed that he has applied for the vacant job of manager at Portman Road.

The 56 year old Scot managed Town from December 1994 and rebuilt the club along with then Chairman David Sheepshanks which culminated with several play-off challenges, ultimately leading to promotion to the promised land of the Premier League in the 1999/2000 season following a play-off final win against Barnsley at Wembley,

In Town's first season in the Premiership Burley surprised everyone by leading the club to the outstanding achievement of finishing fifth and qualifying for Europe fot the first time in almost 20 years., Town finished above established Premiership sides such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Everton and the sky appeared to be the limit for Burley who was voted manager of the year.

Sadly that was as good as it got for Burley, a very poor 2001/2002 season saw Town get relegated which ultimately led to his sacking in October 2002 following a poor start to life in Nationwide League Division One, with Joe Royle coming in as replacement.

After Town, Burley had a two year spell at Derby County where he enjoyed a pretty successful time, before a falling out with director of football Murdo Mackay which led to Burley resigning citing difference of opinion between the two parties after the sale of Tom Huddlestone without the knowledge of the former Ipswich supremo.

Hearts was next on the list for Burley, a job he only lasted a few months in as despite being top of the table at his time of departure, Burley found it hard to work with Vladimir Romanov and therefore both parties went their separate ways stating that the two could not overcome irreconcilable differences.

Next up for Burley was a period in charge of Southampton. Burley enjoyed considerable success at the Saints and guided them to the play-off semi finals in 2006/2007. Performances under his reign impressed the bosses of the Scottish FA, who appointed Burley as manager of the Scottish National side in January 2008.

Burley's reign as Scotland manager was not a happy won however and after winning just three out of 14 games he was sacked in November 2009. An unsuccessful six month spell at Crystal Palace followed in June 2010, whilst Burley's most recent job was a four month spell in charge of Cypriot side Apollon Limassol from June 2012 before he was sacked after just two games.

Elsewhere this morning's media and a slew of bookmakers are touting former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley as being the favourite to take the Portman Road hotseat.